Destination Wedding Etiquette:
Plan Your Destination Wedding

Planning a destination wedding can be stressful. There are several different destination wedding etiquette situations that will arise verses a traditional wedding. Here are some of the questions that most often come up.

Q. Who pays for the guests travel expenses for destination weddings?

A. The guests will pay for their own flights, room accommodations and activities. The exception would be the bridal party. The wedding couple are expected to cover the room accommodations for them. They are still responsible for their wedding attire, flight and activities.

Q. When are save the date cards sent?

A. Generally, the longer you give the guests to prepare for traveling, the better. If time permits, 6-12 months prior to the wedding is perfect. In addition to letting the guests know about the wedding date and location, this is the time to let them know about reserved blocks of hotel rooms or flights. If you are using a travel agent for group discounts, include their name as well. You may also choose to have a wedding website or newsletter to keep everyone up to date.

Q. Can the bride and groom still have showers prior to the wedding?

A. Of course. Even though all of your family and friends won't be able to attend the wedding they still want to participate in your happiness. It is still proper to have a wedding shower for the bride and a party for the groom.

Q. Can we have a celebration party after we return from the wedding?

A. Sure. For those who were unable to attend the destination wedding, having a celebratory party upon arriving home (sometimes even much later) is a great idea.

Q. Should we have an engagement party?

A. Yes, but be sure to invite only those that you will be asking to attend the wedding.

Q. Should we meet everyone at the airport?

A. It would be best to meet those that are unfamiliar with the area at the airport. If you are unable to, have the best man or groomsman do it for you.

Q. Should we plan activities?

A. Yes. It is best to print an itinerary and hand it to guests as they arrive or leave it in their room with a welcome basket. Be sure to include time that you wish to spend alone so they can make other arrangements.

Be sure to use common courtesy, good judgement and open communication. Proper destination wedding etiquette doesn't have to be difficult. This should prevent major problems and ensure that everyone has a great time!

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me!